By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s Justin Anaya is on a similar path of his brother, David Anaya.
A few years ago, the elder Anaya was turning heads on the Chargers’ diamond. Now his younger brother is following suit.
And just like David did before, Justin Anaya — who was the top newcomer in District 32-5A — adds another honor for his first varsity season. The sophomore has been named The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro Baseball Newcomer of the Year.
“It feels great,” Justin Anaya said. “(David’s) in a good place and doing well. I’m glad to follow in his footsteps and he’s taught me a lot … to know that it’s working out, it’s very good.”
David Anaya just finished his freshman season with the NCAA Division I Incarnate Word baseball team. Justin Anaya hopes to continue on a similar path in a few years.
“He had some big shoes to fill with his brother being a Division I player,” Brownsville Veterans coach Albert Rodriguez said. “The success that David had, that’s the challenge he faced, he’s living up to the expectations. I know that he can do better next year and he will … he’s growing as a player.”
This season, Justin Anaya was one of the highlights on a team that wasn’t expected to do as much after losing a talented senior class last year — including David Anaya — that won back-to-back district titles and reached the area round in consecutive seasons.
The Chargers proved the doubters wrong, finishing second in District 32-5A, including an 11-3 mark in district play and earned a postseason berth.
In his varsity season debut, Justin Anaya was 18 of 62 (.290 average) with two doubles, a triple and a home run, 13 RBIs and scored 15 runs, stole 19 bases, drew 12 walks and struck out 10 times. He finished with a .405 on-base percentage, .403 slugging percentage and a .809 OPS. On the mound, Justin Anaya was 2-1 and had three saves with 27 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings of mostly relief time.
“Justin gave us the confidence that we needed,” Rodriguez said. “He has that ‘X’ factor as far as baseball IQ. He can do everything … he puts pressure on the defense on the bases, he did all that and took charge in the dugout, he was a leader for us this year.”
With Justin Anaya expected to be a bigger influence as one of the team’s leaders next year, Brownsville Veterans hopes to capture another district championship. That’s already been a goal discussed ahead of next season.
“We’re working hard and we’re going to be a young team,” Justin Anaya said. “Hopefully we can step it up and hopefully we can get district (next) year. Hopefully next year we can exceed our goals.”
Rodriguez knows even with a young team next year, with Justin Anaya and some experience coming back next season, they have a chance to meet or exceed their goals.
“(Justin) brings a lot to the program,” Rodriguez said. “He has a passion for the game. He’s been in tough situations and I know he’ll persevere.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.